UK-India Trade Deal Falls Short on Core British Economic Priorities, Parliamentary Analysis Reveals

A comprehensive assessment by the House of Lords has identified significant omissions in the recently concluded UK-India Free Trade Agreement, highlighting the British government's failure to secure several critical economic and professional interests. The parliamentary report notes the absence of a bilateral investment treaty—a cornerstone for protecting cross-border capital flows—alongside unresolved arrangements for legal services and new market access for the UK's globally dominant financial sector. Furthermore, the agreement lacks finalized provisions for mutual recognition of professional qualifications, potentially hindering the mobility of British experts in fields such as engineering, medicine, and law. While the report acknowledges that India also did not achieve its desired concessions on mobility issues, the findings underscore a strategic imbalance favoring New Delhi's defensive positions over London's offensive commercial objectives. This analytical review suggests the final pact may prioritize political symbolism over substantive economic gains, raising questions about the UK's post-Brexit trade negotiation capabilities and its long-term strategic alignment with key Indo-Pacific partners.